Howard University’s Caribbean Students Association and South Florida Universities Join Forces On Community Service Project

WASHINGTON, DC – Florida International University, Broward College and University of Miami have joined with students at Howard University for a community service project called LiLi’s Backpack Project.

“I had this idea for a project that would see students, staff and friends donating a used or new backpack that could be used by another student in need,” says LiLi Stephens-Henry, organizer and creator of the community service project, and also an Acting senior at Howard. “I was in Jamaica two summers ago for an internship and I noticed the cost of a backpack, which was expensive.

“At the end of the semester, students in the dorms dump a lot of items they don’t want to ship back home. We are in a recession and times are hard for many. It seems like a simple thing, but a backpack to a child who does not have one is life-changing.”

Howard University Caribbean Students Association, one of the largest and most diverse student social organizations of the campus has adopted the project. “HUCSA is proud to be a part of this truly meaningful community service project spearheaded by one of our very own members,” says HUCSA president, Ryane Rollock.

LiLi Stephens-Henry Acting Senior launches the LiLi’s Backpack Project adopted by Howard University Caribbean Students Association as their community service project. At right is Michael Thompson, VP of the National Urban League who spoke at the launch and committed the NUL’s support of the project with donations of school supplies from the NUL’s annual conference in Boston this summer. The project will benefit schools in Haiti, Jamaica and Washington, DC.
“When Liane approached me with this idea to give back not only to our immediate DC community, but also to countries in the Caribbean, I was very excited. This launch is a tribute to the difference we all can make, if only we give some time and effort.”

Calling the project amazing, Mr. Marc Lee, dean of HU Residence Life, says, “I really appreciate LiLi’s vision in implementing a program that will touch numerous lives across the globe. She is epitomizing the university’s creed of serving America and the global community.”

The goal is to collect 500 backpacks or more through the drive that runs through May 15, to coincide with dorm closures. Howard University Residential Life is supporting the project and the dorms will have receptacles for students and staff to drop off their backpack.

LiLi Stephens-Henry (R) with fellow HUCSA member Khadijatou Camara (L) wants other colleges to run with the imitative and host their own LiLi’s Backpack Project to increase the number of donations of used and new backpacks to benefit Caribbean and DC students.
“It is my hope that other colleges will host their own LiLi’s Backpack Project drive and support this worthwhile project,” adds LiLi. “We can send the posters they need to put up around the dorms and colleges to promote and publicize the project.”

At FIU, Bay Vista Housing, University Park Towers, University Park Apartments, University Park Apartments, Everglades Hall, Lakeview North Hall and Panther Hall of Residence Life are participating in the community service project. Receptacles will be in the lobbies for students to make their donations through May 15. Activities are being coordinated through Marchele Tucker and Chele’Ann Desousa, undergraduate students at FIU Biscayne Bay Boulevard campus.

Tucker, who resides at Everglades Hall is planning a sampling of Grace Kennedy Foods products on April 25 in the lobby to promote the project.

Diana Arcentales, student life coordinator FIU Broward Pines Center is excited about the project. During Stress Free Week beginning April 18-21 and Saturday, April 23, students and staff at FIU Broward Pines Center are being asked to bring their used backpacks to the main lobby where receptacles are being placed. “FIU Broward Pines Center is happy to be involved with this wonderful project,” she says.

Hon. William Exantus, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti was guest speaker at the launch of LiLi’s Backpack Project. He welcomed the project stating that it comes at an opportune time when the needs of the people of Haiti are being overshadowed by general elections.
At UM, Hecht Residential College, University Village, Stanford Residential College, Mahoney Residential College from Residence Life and the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center at Miami School of Law have elected to participate in the community service project. UM’s Residence Life will conduct their drive May 2- May 6 to coincide with dorm closures. Receptacles with the LiLi’s Backpack Project posters will be taped to the receptacles.

Daniela Gordon, Post Graduate Fellow at the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center at Miami School of Law will be setting up a box at the library entrance for the duration of the project through May 15.

“We are happy to invite our students to participate and donate their backpacks,” Gordon says. “Our students are around until the middle of May, so I hope to collect a number of backpacks for this great cause.”

Broward Central and South campuses including Broward Weston, Pines and Miramar Centers are also participating in the drive. Efforts are being coordinated by Heather Andrews of the central campus.

Paul Felarca, volunteer services coordinator at Broward North Campus says, “I’ve identified several student clubs that are willing to help educate and encourage the student population to donate.”

Two schools in Deanwood in Ward 7 in Washington, DC have been identified as beneficiaries of the project. In addition, donations will be sent to Haiti that is still recovering from the earthquake a year ago; and two schools in Jamaica are also to benefit from the drive.

Mr. William Exantus, deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti who was present at the launch says, “The project comes at an opportune time for Haiti. Especially, since the country is now being overshadowed by elections.”

Nykeeba Brown, a member of both HUCSA and the Haitian Student Association who was recently in Haiti for alternative spring break working with an orphanage, an hour away from Port-au-Prince commits to helping the group navigate the delivery process. Currently, donations to Haiti are being housed in government warehouses and in many instances, customs and duties are being charged on the donations.

“We are going to guide the process of delivery by working with a non-governmental organization in Haiti,” she says.

“This is a wonderful project and the National Urban League is happy to be coming on board to support it,” says Mr. Michael Thompson, VP of the NUL speaking at the launch.

“The NUL has a huge community event in Boston when it secures back-to-school supplies for students and will list LiLi’s Backpack Project as one of the beneficiaries.”

“We are excited about this. The NUL has a large reach and more resources. They are on every HBCU across the nation. We definitely want to partner with them going forward so that next year’s event is bigger and better,” adds Christine Singh, a teamster on the project who is encouraging everyone to visit Facebook for more information on the project.

Grace Kennedy Foods International has sponsored the T-shirts and flyers and is not the only corporate entity to partner with LiLi’s Backpack Project. Home Depot donated boxes for DC and Florida colleges for the collection of the backpacks. FedEx and Dennis Shipping Company have committed to shipping the backpacks to their beneficiaries. Three dorms who collect the most backpacks from all the participating colleges will receive baskets of GKCO food products.

“I don’t know what it’s like not to have a backpack,” adds LiLi. “So many of us have several backpacks in our possession and we don’t use them that often. So, all we are asking is that you donate one to our cause. Give back and donate a backpack!”